Postcard from... Jerusalem

 

Alistair Dawber
Tuesday 05 March 2013 02:15 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

I thought I was doing so well. Since arriving in Jerusalem as this paper’s correspondent I have made a concerted effort to get fit. After a few years on the foreign desk in London, and consequently getting little exercise, sleep, vegetables, etc, I thought I’d shed a few pounds by running round my new home.

We are two hours ahead here and if I get up at a reasonable time for a jog, I can easily be back in time for when London wakes. So for nearly two months, despite some uncharacteristic weather and being attacked by a pack of dogs, I have been donning my prehistoric trainers a few times a week. I’ve lost a scintilla of weight (possibly), and, despite a sore calf muscle, I feel quite fit.

I was even getting smug about my new svelteness until last Friday when I went out for breakfast only to be confronted by barriers at the end of my road. The reason: the Jerusalem Marathon. Now, I may have managed two or three miles wheezing around my neighbourhood, but these guys were seriously fit. One man, who must have been 30 years my senior, was racing up the nearest hill at a speed I haven’t yet approached – and that would be downhill with a following wind, and he still had 15 or so miles to go.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in